Honor X9b vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
The Verdict
Comparing these phones reveals two vastly different market segments. Honor X9b targets budget-conscious users with a large 6.78-inch AMOLED display delivering 2000 nits brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, and a substantial 5800 mAh battery supporting 35W charging. Its 108MP main camera and Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor handle everyday tasks competently. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 represents premium innovation with foldable technology, dual displays (7.6-inch inner and 6.2-inch cover), and flagship Snapdragon 888 performance. However, it suffers from an older Android 11 base, smaller 4400 mAh battery, weaker brightness at 1200 nits, and cameras that underperform its price tier. The Z Fold 3 excels in processing power and design ambition but shows age in software and battery endurance. Honor X9b delivers exceptional value for everyday users, while Z Fold 3 appeals to early adopters willing to pay premium prices for foldable novelty despite performance limitations. Recommendation: Choose Honor X9b for practical value or Z Fold 3 if foldable form factor justifies the cost premium.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Honor X9b if…
- →Massive 5800 mAh battery provides outstanding multi-day endurance
- →2000-nit AMOLED display brightness is excellent for outdoor use
- →108 MP main sensor captures detailed photos in good lighting
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 if…
- →First foldable with IPX8 water resistance
- →S Pen support on inner display
- →120Hz on both inner and cover screens
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Honor X9b
Pros
- Massive 5800 mAh battery provides outstanding multi-day endurance
- 2000-nit AMOLED display brightness is excellent for outdoor use
- 108 MP main sensor captures detailed photos in good lighting
- Enhanced drop resistance with 2-layer glass structure
- 5G connectivity at an affordable price point
Cons
- 35W charging is slow for the large 5800 mAh battery
- 5 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro cameras are filler
- IP53 splash resistance is basic protection
- No wireless charging
- MagicOS has some bloatware and ads
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Pros
- First foldable with IPX8 water resistance
- S Pen support on inner display
- 120Hz on both inner and cover screens
- Under-display camera for seamless inner screen
- Multi-window multitasking
Cons
- $1799 is prohibitively expensive
- Heavy at 271 g
- Under-display camera quality is poor
- Same cameras as Fold 2
- S Pen not included and no storage silo
Full Specifications
| Spec | Honor X9b | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (MagicOS 7.2) | Android 11, One UI 3.1.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 185 g | 271 g |
| Material | Plastic frame, glass front (2-ply drop resistant), plastic back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP53 | IPX8 |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 74.9 x 7.98 mm | 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm (unfolded) |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 108 MP, f/1.75, PDAF | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 10 MP (cover), 4 MP under-display (inner) |
| Macro | 2 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5800 mAh | 4400 mAh |
| Charging | 35W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 7.6 inches (inner), 6.2 inches (cover) |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, foldable |
| Resolution | 2436 x 1116 | 2208 x 1768 (inner), 2268 x 832 (cover) |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz (both) |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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